Long Island Republicans have lined up in support of County Legislator Michael Venditto, a Massapequa Republican, as their party’s candidate to succeed former Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. in the New York State Senate. Joining Venditto at a kick-off campaign rally on March 15 at the American Legion Hall Post 1066 in Massapequa were Dean Skelos, co-majority leader of the State Senate; Carl Marcellino, a North Shore state senator; Ed Mangano, Nassau County's executive; George Maragos, Nassau's comptroller; Norma Gonsalves, presiding officer of the County Legislature; Kate Murray, supervisor of the Town of Hempstead; and Fuschillo.

Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino, spokesman for the Nassau Republican Committee, called Venditto “a fresh, young face who understands the critical issues facing Long Island taxpayers.” He “will go to Albany to continue the work of Sen. Chuck Fuschillo, and in Chuck’s tradition will fight for working families, will fight for Long Island’s fair share of school aid and will fight to create jobs for residents,” Santino said.

Venditto’s campaign held a kick-off rally on March 15 at the American Legion Hall Post 1066 in Massapequa. Several of Venditto’s fellow Long Island Republicans were there to lend their support, including Dean Skelos, co-majority leader of the State Senate; Carl Marcellino, a North Shore state senator; Mangano; George Maragos, comptroller of Nassau County; Norma Gonsalves, presiding officer of the County Legislature; Kate Murray, supervisor of the Town of Hempstead; and Fuschillo.

“Those of us who believe in good Republican government, we know the one thing that our opponents will never understand: that this election is about our families, it’s about our communities, and it’s about our future,” Venditto said at the rally.

Every State Senate race is worth watching this year, as the two major parties compete for control of the chamber. A thin majority of Republicans and a handful of breakaway Democrats who vote with them currently rule the Senate in an unprecedented power-sharing arrangement.

Venditto’s opponent will likely be either County Legislator Dave Denenberg, a Merrick Democrat who has represented the 19th Legislative District for more than 14 years, or Carmen Piñeyro, the Democratic deputy mayor of Freeport and a trustee of the village, who have both said they are running for the State Senate seat.